Improvement in brackets



G. W; S'TE'ARN'S.

Bracket Patented Noy.18, 1879.

FIG.

FIG m.

FIG. ll.

I T INVENTUR. 5%wrleo NJETERS, PfiOmLlTHOGRAFHEw. WAsmNGTON D O UNITED STATES PATENT FFI'CE.

CHARLES W. STEARNS, OFPROVIDENOE, RHODE ISLAND.

IMPROVEMENT lN BRACKETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 221,875, dated November 18, 1879; application filed August 22, 1879.

To all whom it. may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. SrEARNs, of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of -Rhode Island, have invented certain Improvements in Brackets for Holding Flower-Pots, Urns, Vases, 850., of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure Us a perspective view of a shaft or standard with several' brackets in different stages of construction applied thereto. Fig. 2 represents a perspective and a section illustrating the manner of uniting two horizontal cross-bars, on which rests the dish which supports the flower-pot, 850.; Fig. 3, a cross-section of the two perforated plates composing a socket, and showing the inclination of their axes to each other. Fig. 4 represents a view of a portion of the shaft or standard on which the brackets rotate, and also represents a horizontal section through the same, with a ring or collar applied'thereto for keeping the brackets from working down out of their proper places.

The object of my invention is to provide a rotating bracket for holding flower-pots, urns, or vases, that shall at once be light, graceful, strong and convenient, and be adapted for use, either singly or combined in groups, on portable frames or stands, or fastened to the sides of doors, windows, \erandas, porches, &c., for temporary or permanent decoration.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use myinvention, I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it out.

In Fig. l the complete bracket is seen to consist of two horizontal bars, A a, crossing each other at right angles at their centers, thus making four equal arms or branches.

From the extremity of each arm rises a stem or post, B, inclining outward, the four stems or posts inclosing a space adapted to hold a shallow pan or dish, U, in which the pot or vase is to stand; and I connect the upper ends of the stems or posts B by a cord, wire, chain, or band, D, which serves as a guard to prevent the pots from being accidentally displaced. The inner end of one, A, of each pair of horizontal cross-bars A a is bifurcated,forming minor branches 1) b, located vertically one above the other, said branches terminating in flat horizontal plates 0 c, perforated to receive a tubular shaft or standard, E, thetwo perforated plates thus forming a socket for each bracket to rotate thereon.

The axes of the perforations of the two plates of the socket of each bracket are not in one and the same line, but slightly diverge from or incline to each other, as seen in Fig. 3, the axis of the upper perforation inclining down to the left of the vertical center of the tubular shaft, and the axis of the lower perforation inclining down to the right thereof, by which construction, when a bracket is in place upon the shaft, a slight strain or bend is given to the branches b b, which producesa degree of friction between the socket and shaft that will prevent the bracket from turning of itself, although it may be readily moved by hand when desired; and by this construction the bracket is made to stay in whatever position it is placed, even if the shaft be not perfectly cylindrical or not of uniform size in cross-section. This friction, however small, is

permanent, and sufficient to retain the bracket when adjusted to the desired position, as the weight of the flowerpot and bracket is constantly exerting a pressure and bearing the socket against the outside of the shaft, a socket formed as above being always effective, and differing essentially from the ordinary sleevesocket now in use.

Another advantage of constructing the socket of two perforated plates placed a little distance apart, one above the other, is that the sockets of two or three brackets may be inserted or interlaced within each other, so that several of the brackets may rotate in nearly the same plane.

In Fig. 2 is specially represented the method of locking together two horizontal cross-bars,

A a, by a notch, d; in the center of the top of the bar A, and a notch, e, in the under side of the center of the bar a, the notch 6 having its sides sufficientl y prolonged and tapering dowrn ward, so that the extremities h may be clinched around the under side of the bar A, thus making the bracket as solid as if itwere cast in one piece. (See lower portion of Fig. 2.)

In Fi 4, a portion of the tubular shaft E is represented encircled by a closely-fitting rin g or collar, 2', which is open at one point in its circumference, so as to leave two free ends, which are bent inward and made to enter an aperture in the tubular shaft, thus holding the collar firmly in place, the collar serving as a stop, which prevents the brackets from sliding downward on the shaft, and keeps them at their proper level, said ring or collar answeringr the purpose better than a pin or screw, either of which would be liable to work loose from the friction of the socket resting thereon.

I claim- 1. As an improvement in the construction of cross-bars for brackets for holding flowerpots, urns, vases, &c., the horizontal crossbar A, having on its upper side a central notch or depression, in combination with the horizontal cross-bar a, having on its upper side a central enlargement provided with two notches located transversely opposite each other, and on its under side with a deep central longitudinal notch having sides of suificient length to extend down below the sides of the center of the bar A, over which they fit, whereby the bar a may be securely clinched under the former, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The horizontal cross-bars A a, clinched together, and provided with stems B B and sockets c 0, the latter having their axes formed out of line with each other, in combination with the supporting-shaft E, constructed to operate substantially as and for the purpose described.

Witness my hand this 16th day of August, 1879.

CHAS. W. STEARNS.

In presence of CHARLES AoToN, J r., AMANDA A. STEARNS. 

